Reel Paddling Film Festival Announces 2015 Winners

And the envelope, please…The 10th Annual Reel Paddling Film Festival, which just premiered at Famous Players Canada Square in Toronto, treated attendees to the first screenings of some of the year’s award-winning films, with all proceeds going to Project Canoe, a canoe camp for at-risk youth.

The event kicked off the Reel Paddling Film Festival World Tour, featuring 23 short-listed films screening in 100 cities hosted by paddling shops, clubs and events.

And the 2015 winners are:

Adventure Travel Andørja World Record Expedition: This is a story about Joel Abrahamsson and his successful attempt to break the former world record for biggest fish ever caught from a kayak—a 1,200-pound Greenland shark. Director: Erik Lundin & Markus Wickelgren | Producer: Oskar Stenberg Website: www.freewaterpictures.se

Documentary DamNation: This powerful film odyssey across America explores the sea change in the national attitude from pride in big dams as engineering wonders to the growing awareness that our own future is bound to the life and health of our rivers. Director: Ben Knight, Travis Rummel | Producer: Matt Stoecker, Travis Rummel Website: www.damnationfilm.com

Environmental Delta Dawn: The Colorado River had not kissed the sea in almost two decades, until the spring of 2014 when an experimental pulse of water was released into this forgotten delta. A team of river runners followed the water to witness this unprecedented restoration effort. Director and Producer: Peter McBride | Website: www.petemcbride.com

Amateur How Not To Steal A Kayak…: FTS Style is a group of professional amateur kayakers who bring paddling movies to another level. The goal of their game is to put a smile on your face. In this short, they offer a few examples of how not to steal a kayak. Director: Sebastien Leger | Producer: FTS Style

Sea Kayaking A Paddler’s Pilgrimage: This documentary follows James Manke and James Roberts as they travel to Qaqortaq, Greenland, to experience and participate in the Greenland National Kayak Championships. Director: David Hartman, James Roberts | Producer: James Roberts, James Manke Website: www.ontarioseakayakcentre.com, www.hayfiremedia.com

Whitewater The Grand Canyon of the Stikine: Shrouded in darkness and legend, the Grand Canyon of the Stikine River is the Everest of whitewater. For over 30 years, its menacing difficulty has lured expedition kayakers looking for the ultimate challenge. Director and Producer: Olaf Obsommer | Website: www.big-o-productions.com

Instructional Top 10 Tips for Canoeing & Kayaking Safely: Canoes, kayaks and standup paddleboards were responsible for 20 percent of all boating causalities in 2013. The ACA, with funding from the U.S. Coast Guard, partnered with Anzovin Studio to create this animated video with the goal of educating and empowering paddlers to take responsibility for their personal safety on the water. Director: ACA | Producer: U.S. Coast Guard | Website: www.americancanoe.org

Canoeing We Belong To It: We Belong To It follows renowned traveler and British TV personality Ray Mears’ journey into the heart of Wabakimi Provincial Park in northern Ontario, Canada. The film explores the visual beauty of the Boreal forest landscape, and delves into Mears’ reflections on nature and his mastered skill set in bushcraft. Director and Producer: Goh Iromoto | Website: www.gohiromoto.com

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